author note: If I have not already made this clear, Harry will not come back to his real age.
The fae told Alberi to bring Harry to them, but to the shock of the others, for the first time one of his dads could come. Usually humans were not allowed to come, but for the sake of Harry, Remus was permitted this one time. From what they had been told by Alberi, they believed they could either bring the man back to this world, or help him move on. It was possible he had been stuck in the veil too long, he may not be able to return to their world, but he could move into the after life. Remus thought about Lily and James, how he always thought Sirius was with them, and if this was true, he hoped it could work. He hoped he could have his best friend back, but if not, then Sirius could go and be with James and Lily finally.
Harry was still so upset, and Remus was grateful he had none of his old memories, he would have blamed himself even more. He had blamed himself for Sirius dying, but he had believed him at least reunited with James, but it seemed he hadn't been. Sirius being stuck in limbo, would crush Harry.
Harry looked at his grandparents after he finished telling them. "You have to help him, please. He is so scared, Grandmum, he is so scared."
Aideen actually picked him up. "We will help him I promise Harry. I promise soon he won't be so scared any more."
Aideen was not certain either why Harry was just hearing him now, but she assumed it likely was his powers awakening more, since Avalon. Harry had the block removed by the potion, but his Fae powers had come out more and more, since his first trip here. There was thought a link between the living and the dead, or even those where Sirius was, and though he shared no blood with Harry, he and Sirius must have had some bond.
The red bird was summoned, and Remus was informed she was a messenger bird, they were often believed to travel between both worlds. There were few Fae who could speak to animals, but even those who could, she had never known one who could speak to a torch bird before.
Remus was surprised when he was told they were family to phoenixes. "Harry always had such a link to Fawkes, even when he had the block."
Her husband spoke. "Phoenixes are naturally drawn to all innocence, like a school of children, or a Fae. The torch bird is a bit different."
The phoenix was a symbol of rebirth, they died, and came back to life, but the torch bird was like the elves, they were immortal. If it was true they could move between the world of the living and the dead. Harry being able to talk to this one may be the key to helping Sirius. There was a good chance the bird could be convinced to lead Sirius from limbo, into one world, or the other. There was another way, but far more dangerous.
Aideen knelt. "Can you tell your friend about Sirius and what is happening? It may be that she can help Sirius for us."
Harry nodded and was silent for a bit as he spoke to the bird, unlike Hedwig, they could talk. He smiled. "Twila will help us."
The torch bird was even more rare than a phoenix, and they needed to be very careful with her, there would be many who would want to have her. Like the phoenix their tears could heal most wounds, but it was said that their light could lead the souls of the dead from Hades itself, and it was what they were counting on now. Alberi would ensure the safe return of the bird to the island when this was done.
She kissed Harry on the head before handing him to his dad. "There is one other thing we can try, but I am sure Twila will help your friend."
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Harry clung to his Papa, he did not like this place, he had bad dreams since they brought him last time. He knew he needed to come, Twilla would not come with the others, only with him. If he wanted to help Padifoot and bring him back to their world, he needed to be brave, like Daddy. Daddy had told him many stories about the past, about him and his friends called the marauders, which included his father and Padifoot too. He knew they had all been brave, and that they were not scared, so he would not be either.
They had assured Harry as they carried him down into the room with the arch again, he would be safe, and not alone. They had reminded him Sirius might not come to them, he may go to heaven to be with Harry's mommy and father, but that was good too. He would be safe and happy, and Harry would no longer hear him crying for help, because he would be safe.
Lucius watched them. "Are you certain this will work? I do not like bringing Harry down here, after what happened last time."
It had been said in a whisper so only Remus could hear, and he responded. "You know we would rather another way, but this is the safest."
They had not been told the entire proceedure, but if Twilla did not go, someone else could be sent. They knew the bird could come and go through the veil, there was no doubt, but a human was another matter. They would use a charm from the Fae, but even the Fae could not have guaranteed it would work, and another person could be lost. Remus would have risked it for Sirius, but Harry needed him, and besides Twilla was willing to help them out with this. The bird seemed to like Harry as much as he loved the bird, and was willing to risk it all.
Lucius had nothing against Sirius, his wife was fond of her cousin, but they loved Harry so dearly. They both remembered what horrible shape he was in, when he came home last time, and were simply worried. They knew though the dreams would keep coming, if they could not help.
Alberi turned to Harry when they got to the veil. "You need to ask Twilla to go in the veil, and bring back the man or free him."
Harry nodded his head. "Twilla says she sees the same man I do. She not sure where, but she say she can lead him."
They watched as Harry spoke to the bird, worried about her too, and then the bird took off. Harry had never met Padifoot before, as he only knew Sirius as, but he wanted to help him, because he was so scared. He also wanted to give daddy his best friend back, he wouldn't like if Corine and Michel were trapped, and Daddy was so sad. He was worried about Twilla though, he was fond of the bird, even if not one of his familiars.
Alberi picked Harry up as they watched, having grown so fond of the boy, and picking up on his emotions. He hoped, like the others, this could work. For him it was about Harry alone, as he wanted his young charge to be at peace, where the others worried for Sirius as well.
Severus looked through the veil. "I wonder how long this may take. I assume Twilla will return to us either way."
Before anyone could respond Harry pointed. "She is coming, she is coming."
Sure enough the beautiful red bird appeared, and for a moment they thought she was alone, no one seemed with her. Remus had known there was a chance, and he had been mourning Sirius already, but he had hoped. He found comfort in knowing Sirius was in heaven now, he would be with James and Lily, and no longer be tormented in limbo as he was. He and Severus were assured their son's dreams would be normal.
Suddenly though something else moved from the veil, and the Sirius Remus remembered before prison, stepped through the veil. He was older, he was the age he should have been, but he no longer had the haggard skeleton look of prison. His eyes were still clouded, probably from Limbo.
Harry was the first one to react. "Padifoot, Padifoot."
Sirius turned to him and opened his arms. "Harry?"
They knew the fact that Harry was a child would be a shock, not sure how he had seen Harry, when he called to him. They had not been certain he could see, only that he could perhaps sense Harry, as Harry had been able to sense him in dreams. Remus held Harry in one arm, having taken him from Alberi, and hugged Sirius with the other, beyond relieved by all this. He never hoped in a million years, he would be reunited with one of the marauders, at least not till he died as well. He could feel the tears running down his cheeks.
Severus spoke. "How about we save this reunion until we get home? I am sure Sirius could use a chance to sit down."
Sirius turned to him, some what surprised the man was there, but said. "I am hungrier then I ever remember being."
If he questioned why he was being taken to Malfoy manor, Sirius said nothing, and just allowed himself to be led. He had no idea how long he had been there, or how his godson was suddenly a small child, but he would have answers. He was simply relieved to be free from limbo. He was sure not to be the only one with a story to tell it seemed.
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Harry had spoken but a few words since they got to the manor, he had soon gone to Remus, not so sure who Sirius was. Remus was almost relieved he had, Sirius was in enough shock as it was, without Harry clinging to Severus. It seemed Sirius could not see anything from where he had been, there was no sense of time where he had been. He had been able from time to time, talk to Lily and James, but it was brief moments, and there was always a barrier. He had started sensing Harry, but he could never see him, and had been calling for help. He had of course no idea Harry was a child, or what he had been doing to Harry's dreams, just needing some help.
When Harry was half asleep in Remus' arms, and Sirius' story was done, Remus explained. He did not go into much detail about him and Severus for now, but he explained about the potion, and the decission to keep Harry young, to allow him to be a child again.
Sirius smiled to where he saw his cub. "He does seem so happy as a child. But I am surprised Albus is not here. How did you free me?"
Remus shared a look with Severus. "Albus is dead, he was killed, when he attacked Harry. It was Harry who had the power to save you."
When they let the words sink in, the others helped Remus explain, about the Fae and Lily's heritage. Alberi had returned, he had gone to return Twilla, but he had come back now. The elf's pressence helped, and Sirius remembered the bird, but he was still in a state of shock. He watched the pensieve memories though, and the knowledge he had spent all those years in prison because of Albus, was another painful blow. He had always wondered how as a muggle born, Lily had been so naturally powerful, and this explained it all.
Lucius spoke. "I will have my attorneys work with Cornelius. We will soon have you returned to the land of the living. Well as soon as you are ready to be."
Sirius beamed when he was assured he had been pardoned long ago. "I thought never to touch my family money, but with Harry so young, I will have to remain retired for now."
The others all shared a look, and Remus looked at Harry, and over at Severus. Sirius had every right, he had primary custody of Harry, Remus and Severus only had him because Sirius was dead. They also knew the old animosity between Sirius and Severus never went away, and they doubted the man would ever let Severus raise Harry, but so much had changed. Harry loved them like dads, and they were growing so close together as well, and the thought of losing Harry was too much.
Sirius smiled at Remus. "You don't mind coming to live at Grimmauld at least for a bit? What am I saying, you probably have been living there with Harry. We can raise him together."